August 2024: Top Ranked MLS NEXT Pro Match Officials

MLS NEXT Pro Club coaching staff evaluates the performances of the referee, assistant referees, and fourth officials after every game. Starting in August, MLS NEXT Pro will highlight each month's top-performing match officials around the League. Watch the video explainer below to understand how the officials are evaluated. In addition, you can find the evaluation details for the referees and officials at the bottom of this article.

Jonathan Luk was named the Top Referee for August. Check out highlights from one of the matches the Massachusetts referee officiated. The Top Rated Referees in August are listed below.

Amilcar Sicaju is recognized as the top assistant referee this month. The assistant ref from Rhode Island had an opportunity to contribute to several matches this past month, and you can check out some of the highlights here. The Top Rated Assistant Referees for August are listed below.

Justin Saporito was rated the top fourth official this past month. The New Jersey official has officiated six games in MLS NEXT Pro this season. Check out the highlights of the match in which he participated. Below is the list of the top-rated Fourth Officials.

Evaluation Criteria

Referees

Match Control

• Consistent and accurate recognition of foul play and cautionable offenses of both players and staff
• Recognizes and communicates expectations of persistent offenses, mass confrontation, and use of advantage

Interaction with all Participants (player and technical area personnel management)

• Uses appropriate verbal communication, body language, and mannerisms and remains open to appropriate communication from participants
• Shows composure and appropriate range of responses to match nature of incident and dissent managed appropriately
• Appropriately manages technical area personnel

Game Management

• Efficient management and communication of Injury, Time, and Restarts.
• Proactively manages players pushing/pulling prior to the ball put into play

Teamwork

• Utilizes the Assistant Referees for key calls such as offsides and fouls/misconduct near the sidelines
• Appropriately delegates responsibilities to other crew members and effectively communicates and cooperates with other crew members

Positioning and Movement

• Takes positions to see between players during challenges and effective proximity to attacking play and/or challenges
• Recognizes the breakdown of play and adjusts position accordingly
• Takes positions in and around the penalty area to achieve good viewing angles

Assistant Referees

Offsides

• Correct identification of offside offenses (i.e., interfering with play, interfering with an opponent, and gaining an advantage)

Involvement and Assistance (in accordance with the referee)

• Appropriate communication with players and/or technical area personnel to assist with sideline management
• Correct identification of fouls and cautionable offenses within area of responsibility (players and staff)
• Correct assistance with boundary line decisions
• Appropriate assistance and ability to switch focus between offside, boundary line, foul/misconduct priorities
• Participates appropriately during mass confrontations
• Effective use of communication (eye contact/discreet signals/electronic systems)

Positioning and Movement

• Correct alignment with second-to-last-opponent or the ball throughout the match (including ball to goalkeeper and goal line)
• Appropriate positioning at goal line to make boundary line or goal/no-goal decisions
• Reading/Anticipating play and effective use of transitions between lateral movement and sprinting

Fourth Officials

Control and Teamwork

• Demonstrates ability to work together in a cohesive manner with clear and concise communication
• Injury Time Accuracy

Professionalism

• Manages appropriate interactions of technical staff and players